On October 20th, 2003 the third highest honor in Jamaica was awarded to a musician for the first time the country's history. The Order of Merit was bestowed upon Jimmy Cliff for his contribution to Jamaican film and music, particularly in the areas of reggae and ska music. He has also been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is a permanent fixture on the Independent Music Awards' judging panel and at the age of 63 is currently on a world tour.
Jimmy Cliff began his life with the surname Chambers, in 1948 in St. James, Jamaica. He started song writing at an early age, finding inspiration in the music emanating from a neighbor's stereo system. Soon he was performing at community fairs, music shows and for friend's parties. In 1962 three life changing events occurred in the life of the young musician. Feeling as though he was ready for the 'big time', Jimmy changed his last name to Cliff as a symbol of how high he would reach with his musical talents. As an additional step towards the music industry, Cliff decided to move to Kingston. His father allowed the move with the proviso that he attend Kingston Technical School and stay with a distant cousin.
The third life changing event for Jimmy Cliff came that same year, 1962, when he was 'discovered' by a prominent local record producer Leslie Kong. Cliff recorded his song "Hurricane Hattie" and it went straight to the top of the Jamaican music charts. At the tender age of 14 years, Cliff was out on his own in the big city with a new name and an instant star status. Two years later, Cliff was asked to represent Jamaica at the World's Fair in New York City. That led to some time being spent in Paris, and then a permanent relocation to England.
The most famous and successful chapter of Cliff's professional life came in 1972. He starred as Ivanhoe Martin in the classic film "The Harder They Come". The story follows the life of a young musician who travels to Kingston in search of success but ends up leading a life of crime. The soundtrack to for the film was a major international success, and even today the film is the most significant Jamaican contribution to the film industry.
Not long after the success of the film, Cliff traveled to Africa and converted to Islam. He recorded five more albums upon return to Jamaica, included several recorded with pop groups such as Kool and the Gang and Bruce Springsteen. In 1985 Cliff won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album "Cliff Hanger", his last major American success. Since then, this world renowned musician and actor has released several other albums and singles, all of which have found their audience in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.
Jimmy Cliff began his life with the surname Chambers, in 1948 in St. James, Jamaica. He started song writing at an early age, finding inspiration in the music emanating from a neighbor's stereo system. Soon he was performing at community fairs, music shows and for friend's parties. In 1962 three life changing events occurred in the life of the young musician. Feeling as though he was ready for the 'big time', Jimmy changed his last name to Cliff as a symbol of how high he would reach with his musical talents. As an additional step towards the music industry, Cliff decided to move to Kingston. His father allowed the move with the proviso that he attend Kingston Technical School and stay with a distant cousin.
The third life changing event for Jimmy Cliff came that same year, 1962, when he was 'discovered' by a prominent local record producer Leslie Kong. Cliff recorded his song "Hurricane Hattie" and it went straight to the top of the Jamaican music charts. At the tender age of 14 years, Cliff was out on his own in the big city with a new name and an instant star status. Two years later, Cliff was asked to represent Jamaica at the World's Fair in New York City. That led to some time being spent in Paris, and then a permanent relocation to England.
The most famous and successful chapter of Cliff's professional life came in 1972. He starred as Ivanhoe Martin in the classic film "The Harder They Come". The story follows the life of a young musician who travels to Kingston in search of success but ends up leading a life of crime. The soundtrack to for the film was a major international success, and even today the film is the most significant Jamaican contribution to the film industry.
Not long after the success of the film, Cliff traveled to Africa and converted to Islam. He recorded five more albums upon return to Jamaica, included several recorded with pop groups such as Kool and the Gang and Bruce Springsteen. In 1985 Cliff won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album "Cliff Hanger", his last major American success. Since then, this world renowned musician and actor has released several other albums and singles, all of which have found their audience in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.
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